A couple who almost lost their livelihood when their small furniture business was targeted by credit card fraudsters last year said today: "Things are better than ever."

Nathan and Christine Levick, who run Levick Jorgensen in Uckfield, faced ruin after criminals placed multiple orders for goods using stolen credit cards details.

Because the transactions took place over the phone the couple were left liable for the £6,380 that had been stolen - a hit which almost sank the small business.

They said they went to the police after the third order but were told no crime had been committed. They were devastated to be told they had to foot the whole bill.

Eventually their bank, HSBC, agreed to pay half the amount, enough to keep the business afloat, but only after they had drawn attention to their plight in the media.

Christine said: "We were totally disillusioned by the lack of support and advice we received from both the police and the bank at the time. Being a small business with a very small voice we had no option but to create as much media attention as possible.

"We did this not just for our own sakes but for all the other small businesses who had experienced exactly the same thing. Eleven contacted us at the time.

"It's such a legal grey area. We had contacted the police twice with suspicions but were told if the card had been authorised there was no crime.

"We even contacted HSBC but were given the wrong advice, which is one of the reasons we got half our money back. There are so many small retailers being hit by credit card fraud who do not realise they are fully responsible for telephone transactions.

"It's hidden away in the small print.

It should be in great big red letters on the contract you sign with your bank.

"Big companies can afford to pay for insurance packages to cover this sort of thing. It is the small business owners who really suffer."

At the time Nathan likened the experience to having your house burgled. He said: "I think you could say I was livid, worried and feeling sick from losing that much furniture.

A lot of it is hand-made and I have an emotional attachment to it."

From hitting rock bottom, the business is now back on track. The firm, which employs four people, has evolved from one selling a mix of bespoke and imported furniture into one selling just hand-made items, using only natural materials.

The couple, who started the business 14 years ago, have just launched a new website and say "business is superb" with orders up to the end of February next year.

Christine said: "We feel privileged to have come through the last 18 months and despite the fraud being a very hard knock on our finances and our beliefs, we have come through the other side with a positive attitude."

According to Card Watch, a banking industry initiative which aims to raise awareness of card fraud, retailers who accept transactions over the phone or the internet sign a contract with their bank.

The contract states the retailer should foot the cost of fraudulent "cardholder not present" transactions.

It is up to the retailer to take as many steps as they can to make sure the person they are dealing with is a genuine cardholder.